28th May from 8pm (doors 7.30pm)
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Kirk Wynd, KY1 1EH
Ali Affleck’s Auld Toon Stompers
Tickets £12
Early jazz historian Ali has earned her solid reputation as the quintessential ‘go to’ vocalist for authentic trad Jazz / prohibition era blues and as she is also an American and a swing dancer, Ali is uniquely placed to deliver this music with authority. Representing the pioneers of early music (particularly the forgotten heroines!) Ali’s fresh interpretations breathe new life into this highly specialized music and this sees her leading the charge for bringing old school jazz back to the attention of our modern ears. Passionate, expressive, unique and above all, refreshingly unpretentious…Ali Affleck is the real deal – a bona fide jazz and blues vocalist with a heartfelt vintage twist.
On Saturday 28th May Ali and her band delivered all of that and more – a selection of vintage songs associated with both the famous early women of jazz such as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, as well as some less-remembered heroines such as Victoria Spivey. She also gave a fascinating insight into the different vocal techniques developed by these pioneers to deal with such varied settings as speakeasy clubs and large concert halls. Her band swung effortlessly through the numbers, with particular applause for the effervescent trumpet of Colin Steele and the poise and swing of Dick Lee on reeds.
Below are a few photos from the gig courtesy of John Black.